Zainab's POV

My feet froze in the pool when I heard a voice calling my name. Engrossed in whatever happened today, I just forgot that this person was yet to come and also the fact that she knew me more than my own mother. I quickly wiped my already wet face and stood up to face her while bringing a wide smile to my lips. Shaiq's Mom- who once was a beautiful young lecturer now changed into a graceful senior professor
Her silver hair was smoothly tied up in a loose bun and that light green sari with a black teacher coat was giving her an overall refined appearance.

"Zainab, what are you doing here, alone?" She asked while looking at me with gritted brows.

Now I couldn't tell her that I came here because of her son.

"I...I...yeah I just got an important call and there was some signal problem inside so I came out to attend it, " I replied in a clutter while rubbing the back of my neck.

She mouthed an oh while still examining my face with scrutiny, "and what's with your swollen eyes? Were you crying?"

I couldn't believe everyone was now able to notice my worn-out expressions and problems except Shaiq. It was indeed the other way round a few years ago; Shaiq was my biggest support and always got to know my troubles even before I let them out. Everything had become the opposite; before, I didn't have anyone who loved and cared for me except Shaiq and now I did have some people who looked after me except Shaiq once again.

"No...I wasn't.." I stopped when I couldn't find any excuse, "I mean yeah, I was crying because one of my friends just told me on the phone that her mother has died so I just could control my tears."

Now I had to lie as well to cover up my miseries that to from Aunt!

She took a deep breath while nodding, "I know news like this can make anyone cry. Are you okay?"

I wiggled my head with a small smile.

"Anyways, where is Shaiq?" She implored while glancing here and there.

"Maybe in his room. Come inside, Aunt. Do you want to have tea?" I grabbed her hand in mine and turned back while waiting for her to accompany me.

I stopped in my track when she laid her other hand on mine and made me face her once again.

"Maybe? Don't you know where your husband is, right now?" She shrugged her shoulders while her tone had hues of shock.

I was about to say something when she cupped my shoulders with her hands, preventing me to do so, "look, Zainab! Whatever I am going to tell you right now; don't take it like your mother-in-law or Aunt is telling you this. I am going to advise you as a mother- precisely as your mother."

She sighed before continuing again, "I know in what circumstances you got married to Shaiq and I know this as well that what kind of bond you guys had before that unexpected marriage. I am well aware that you two aren't sharing the same friendship bond which was the only thing tying you when you weren't his wife and he wasn't your husband because realistically I know one just can't get back to that relationship after indulging in a nikkah."

I kept staring at her with a dropped jaw as to how come she knew this. This meant, did she also comprehend that apart from friends, we both weren't even lived a normal married life? What if she really did? It would be so difficult for me to make her understand.

"But one thing I am happy about is that even if you guys have abandoned one relation; at the same time, you have embraced another one which is you started to behave and care for each other as a married couple. But now...." She deliberately stopped and lowered down her face, near to mine, "whatever I am going to say, you have to listen to it carefully."

Here I was totally perplexed yet relieved at the same time. Perplexed as to what she was going to tell me that she had pitched down her voice and relieved that at least she was unaware of the truth of my and Shaiq's married life.

"You know, Zainab- I was against Shaiq going abroad for studies; not because of my own reason but because he was leaving you- his wife alone here. I even told him to take you with him if he really needed to go. Because I know how distances of hearts increase when there is a distance of communication. On top of that, you guys had an unusual marriage. But then when I got to know from his mouth that you had no problem with it, I somehow agreed. But now, I don't want you to leave him in any case, in any situation, and in any way. I want you to stay by his side, cherish him, love him and make him feel that you are the only one for him. I am not saying that because I am his mother and I want you to serve him. I am solely saying this because that's how a man's heart can be won. That's the only way you can narrow those distances of five years. Because now, if you won't go near him, he also won't come near you. I hope you understand this and didn't take me wrong. I just want to see both of you happy," she smiled while patting the side of my face at which I returned her smile.

And I knew this fact as well that how forced my smile came out. How could I make an effort when Shaiq wasn't even willing to see my face. He didn't even talk to me in a straightway. Here I was failing in getting my best friend's side of him back and here, his Mom was telling me to win his heart as his wife.

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I hesitated for a moment before twirling the golden knob of the door with my hand. The door was already opened but perhaps the paced wind caused it to close. It was already three in the evening and after morning rain, now cool breeze had started to sway around. After breakfast, Shaiq never came out of the room. And the reason was quite obvious; he didn't want to come in front of me. It was perhaps his last spare day and from tomorrow, he would start going to his office so it kind of explained, he even didn't want to see me even if it was just for one day. His Mom had asked me to go to him and ask him to come down for tea. And I knew this as well that why she had chosen me when a maid and her own daughter was there as well. Maybe according to her, being a diligent wife could win Shaiq's heart but one thing she was oblivious was that her son had changed. Ironically, except internally laughing, I didn't have any expression to this as well since who knew in her try to get my husband back, I might get my best friend back.

After getting no reply from inside, I slowly pushed the door forward and peeked inside. The room was murky by the sun's shadow's color as Shaiq had pulled all the curtains down, covering every window. I strolled inside and the fragrant cooling of the air conditioner welcomed my nostrils. My feet came to a halt when I find Shaiq half laying on the couch, with his back against its crown and his eyes were shut. Was he sleeping? In front of him, there was a crystal glassed table and some white papers were swaying here and there due to the air from the fan above.

I couldn't believe he had totally banned the bed for him. He slept on this couch, he did his office works on this couch, he watched the Tv while still sitting there and even if he had to eat in the room, he always sat on the same couch. Suddenly I felt terrible for being the only reason for this. Unknowingly, I just snatched away the bed of his own room. And I know this fact as well that he always got back pain while sleeping on the couch. In the night, I would surely tell him to take his bed back. I would start sleeping on the couch.

One thing I was anxious about was that he never slept in the evening. I clearly remembered Shaiq saying in the past that even if he were to try his best, he couldn't get himself to sleep at this time. Then what changed this habit of him?

Now how should I wake him up? Not only he himself changed, but he had also changed me as well. I never thought that a few years back when I just used my hand and one loud call of his name to wake him up; now I had to think of some ways to do the same thing. I walked near him and my eyes fixed on the table placed in his front. They were dozens of blue files scattered here and there. There were also some capped and uncapped pens. In between them, some bare white papers were also there. One thing which prompted my forehead to crease was two different kinds of mobiles settled on the table. Did he use two phones? But why? One of the mobile, I saw before as well it was the same one on which some Ahmad was calling and I accidentally took it since Shaiq was having a shower. Perhaps, it was the necessity of his job to keep both of them. I brushed away every thought and focused to wake him up.

I bent down to his level and was about to call his name when the sight in front of my eyes taped my mouth. I felt carried away in that mesmerizing spectacle. Due to the gust of the fan, some strands of his jet black hair were falling on his forehead, and out of once, it was shadowing his eyes as well. The dance his hair was doing on his face was so enticing that I found myself staring at him without blinking. My stare flowed from his eyes to his straight nose and finally on his dull pink-tinted lips. Suddenly my heart started beating faster which caused me to tore away my gaze from him. I hurriedly took some steps back which prompted the back of my knee to hit the table. Within the blink of an eye, one of the files fell on the floor with a thud.

I gulped in shock as I quickly sat down, picked up the file, and placed it back on the table. I was sure Shaiq must have woke up by this loud sound.

"What's wrong?"

A gasp left my mouth in surprise when I heard Shaiq's raspy sleepy voice.

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Assalam o Alaikum guys!

How are you? I hope everyone is doing well and would be safe in their homes.

I think it has been a whole month since I have updated. Right? I am sorry for this. But the reasons are 1) I was busy due to online classes 2) I got writer block with this book. Thanks to Allah, I am finally able to get out of the block so you can expect a few more updates in the coming weeks In Sha Allah.

Okay, what do you think will be Shaiq's reaction after seeing Zainab?

If you like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment.

I love y'all and Allah Hafiz. ❤